Welcome to the Smart Apartment

From the time you cross the threshold of the Helen Hayes Hospital Smart Apartment, you’ll see high tech innovations in a home-like setting. The Smart Apartment is an interactive model that replicates a typical home, but with one very important difference: it is equipped with an array of assistive technology that enables individuals with disabilities to control their surroundings.

The Smart Apartment door opens access to the world of technology that re-connects individuals living with disabilities with the outside world, facilitating communication with family, friends and colleagues and automating control over the environment. The ability to blink an eye enables you to write a message on the computer, turn on the lights in a room, and video interact with loved ones. Your voice turns on the television, controls the room temperature and lowers the shades. Suddenly, a world that was once remote is within command.

This state-of-the-art interactive Smart Apartment located on the hospital campus, the first of its kind, gives patients and community members the opportunity to experience a variety of devices that may help them live autonomously in their own homes.

The Smart Apartment consists of a great room, kitchen, bedroom, bath and laundry area; all are designed to be universally accessible and to incorporate both high and low-tech modifications and solutions to everyday living. The integrated technology can help individuals with all levels of disability. The model environment allows physical, occupational, and speech therapists, as well as assistive technologists, to work with patients one-on-one, identifying and customizing the most appropriate technology to meet the individual’s goals.

Smart Apartment Goals

Because no one single solution works for all, having an array of technologies embedded in the Smart Apartment’s environment is a great asset. Commercial products including iPads, iPhones, Android tablets, PC’s and customized programmable remote controls are just a sample of the devices utilized.

Increased safety, security and comfort at home

Automation of lighting, temperature controls, and other ambient functions

Control of home entertainment systems, computers, mobile devices, and phone systems

Automation of door and window operations, appliances, etc.

Facilitate communication

Automation

From opening doors and lowering blinds, to turning on the television and turning off the lights, the Smart Apartment provides multiple options to help advance independence.

Front door entrance view, intercom, lock and unlock

Window blinds

Ceiling and table lights

Ceiling fans

Temperature control (Heat/AC)

Adaptability

The Smart Apartment is built to adapt to your needs and give you control over your environment. From alarm systems and computer access, to bed positioning and television control, you can determine all aspects of your home surroundings.

Emergency alert system

Alarm system

Bed positioning

Television mount/tilt

Computer access

Entertainment System

Phone system

Outdoor camera

Accessibility

The Smart Apartment hosts a variety of features that are accessible to everyone. Whether it’s the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, or dining room, the Smart Apartment demonstrates how a home can be universally accessible.

Access Methods

The Smart Apartment was created to defy limitations, which is why it provides many different methods of access. Users can experiment with each until they find the method right for them.

Direct selection by hand or pointer

Wheelchair-integrated controls

Hands-free selection via

Eye tracking

Head tracking

Voice recognition

Scanning

Empowerment. Autonomy. Independence.

The Smart Apartment gives individuals who have sustained catastrophic spinal cord and brain injuries, debilitating strokes, and disabling diseases such as ALS and multiple sclerosis, the capacity to lead productive and independent lives like never before.

Learn More

Want to learn more about home automation? Click here to see the list of upcoming home automation workshops!

Contact the Smart Apartment

Make an appointment for a Smart Apt evaluation: zeitlind@helenhayeshosp.org

The Smart Apartment has been made possible through the generous support of the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation and proceeds of the Rockland Toyota- Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation Charity Golf Outing. To learn more and help support these efforts, click here.